Chappaqua Merchants to Stay Open Late for Scholarship Fundraising

Several businesses in downtown Chappaqua will stay open late beginning this Thursday, and continuing for each Thursday in June, as part of an effort to raise money for the Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund, which provides financial support to college students to help with their expenses.

As part of the "Sunset Shopping" program, merchants will lengthen their hours to 7 p.m. and will have orange balloons visible to indicate their participation. Most of them will donate 10 percent of the proceeds from each evening. This Thursday will also include an ice cream truck stopping by.

The idea was conceived by Dawn Greenberg, owner of , which is located on the lower part of King Street and specializes in fair trade products.

"I'm just hoping we can add a little bit to what they do," she said.

In general, with several new busisness coming, or having come to the downtown area, Greenberg felt it is a good time "to revitalize things down here." She also feels that it is important for people to shop locally, especially now.

Alissa Harvey, owner of , which is two storefronts down from Aurora, expressed similar sentiments about getting people to buy local. She will also be open late.

Eve Spence and Linda DeMase, owners of , another participating business, said they were happy to support the efforts.

Other involved businesses, according to Greenberg, include and .